Duplex floating wall



NOV. 1, 1955 5, w DALTON 2,722,120

DUPLEX FLOATING WALL Filed Sept. 13, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 1, 1955 B. w. DALTON DUPLEX FLOATING WALL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 13, 1951 I N VEN TOR.

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DUPLEX FLOATING WALL Filed Sept. 13, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent DUPLEX FLOATING WALL Byron W. Dalton, Chicago, Ill. Application September 13, 1951, Serial No. 246,401 Claims. (Cl. 72-118) This invention relates to a duplex floating wall which is carried upon a base, either horizontal, vertical, or otherwise. It has special utility in tunnels, underground installations, and also has numerous advantages it used in shelters prepared for protection against bombs.

For its objects the duplex floating wall construction of this invention is resistant: to the formation on wall and ceiling surfaces of cracks and fissures resulting from traific vibration or earth movements; to the emergence of seepage water, from the usual cracks and fissures, which tend to mar the wall surfaces or drip in unwanted places; and to the collection and dripping on walls and ceilings of moisture condensed within the space defined by the floating walls. This invention also aims to cushion and lessen the impact caused by any nearby concussion; to provide a safety netting for receiving fallen, shattered or loosened objects, such as concrete, bricks, etc.; to provide means for supporting heavy objects, such as seats, benches, etc., at an elevation which is dry and off the floor; to cushion and reduce the transmission and reverberation of sound within the enclosed space; to provide a thermal insulation which will reduce the formation of condensate, wall cracks, etc.; to provide a wall surface that will receive point or other surfacing material satisfactorily and permanently; and to provide a wall construction that may be acoustically treated in a satisfactory manner.

These and other objects of my invention may be realized from a construction of which a suggestive embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a duplex floating wall carried on a vertical base, certain components of each floating wall being broken away to exhibit other components to the rear thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a roofed tunnel equipped interiorly with the present duplex floating wall;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in vertical section, showing one arrangement of the duplex floating wall at the floor of a tunnel;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of one form of bracket support utilized for carrying one of the floating walls upon the base;

Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, the bracket support therein illustrated being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the bracket support and wall components shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of one of the wallsupporting brackets together with the associated clip-bars by which the wall components are secured in place;

Fig. 8 is a detail in elevation of a hanger bracket shown depending from a horizontal base, such as the roof of a tunnel;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing another form of hanger bracket; and

Fig. 10 which is a similar view shows a hanger bracket which is pivotally supported from a horizontal base thereabove.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the base A may be the wall of a tunnel or other structure and, as shown, comprises vertical sides 11 rising from shoulders 12 between which is a floor 13. A roof 14 of vaulted contour is also shown. Such a tunnel may be constructed as by boring through rock or other earth formation, or be provided by erected walls of concrete or the like. Interiorly such a structure, according to this invention, is provided with a floating wall of duplex character. As illustrated, this wall starts from a point slightly above a gutter 15 and extends upwardly and uninterruptedly across the roof.

The wall is duplex in the sense that two similar c0n structions are provided, one spaced from the other and both spaced from the supporting base. The Wall which is proximate to the base will be referred to as the inner wall I whereas the wall to the outside thereof will be designated as the outer wall 0. The two walls are substantially alike and a description of one will apply equally to the other.

The inner wall I comprises a lath 16 to which is applied a coat 17 of concrete, plaster, or the like, having a thickness of perhaps one-half inch, a reinforcing mesh 18 to the outside thereof, and a second coat 19 of concrete, plaster, or the like which is joined to the first coat and keyed to the reinforcing mesh so as to become united substantially integrally therewith. The corresponding components of the outer wall 0 are identified by reference numerals of the same value plus ten.

The base A supports a plurality of anchors, such as expansion bolts 20, which are desirably arranged in vertical rows, each staggered, by preference, with respect to the adjacent rows. Each anchor secures in place against the base a resilient hanger B of Monel metal or the like which is resistant to corrosion. The form of the illustrated hanger is that of a strap relatively wide horizontally having at its anchored end a U-shaped head 21 forming an inner shoulder 22 adjacent its juncture with a straight body section 23 which is laterally turned at 24 to provide an outer shoulder beyond which the hanger continues horizontally again to provide a downset free end section 25. The expansion bolt 20 traverses an opening 26 near the end of the U-shaped head 21 whose curved contour at this point enhances the resiliency of the hanger B. When so secured in place, the hanger will be extended outwardly from the base wall to traverse the inner and outer walls I and 0 thereby to provide support therefor in the manner presently to be described.

In the construction of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, each hanger B is formed with an elongated slot 30 in its medial section to receive therethrough a wedge-key 31. The downset end section 25 is also provided with a slot 32 for reception of a second wedge-key 33. The precise configuration of each slot is a matter of choice. For example, the inner slot 30 is shown as substantially rectangular whereas the outer slot 32 is somewhat oval to accommodate a wedge-key having a generally similar cross-sectional form. The downset free end section 25 which is also of triangular contour tapers toward a point at its extremity to facilitate its forced piercing of the lath and reinforcement which are fitted in place thereon.

Referring again to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, there is utilized a pair of like clip-bars C and D, each extending vertically and preferably for the height of the wall. The inner clip-bar C is disposed adjacent the inner face of the inner wall I whereas the outer clip-bar D occupies a similar position with respect to the outer wall 0. The

inner clip-bar C is of angular cross-section to provide a flange 37 extending away from its body 38 from which are extended fingers 39 all initially aligned with the body of the clip. Such a clip-bar is fastened to the several hangers in the same vertical row by bending certain of 3. its fingers 39laterally to lie alongside the outer faces of the inner shoulder 22' and then be reversely bent to extend along the inner faces thereof (see Figs. and 6). Other of the fingers 39 may also be bent through 180 to extend back toward the base wall-11' for engagement therewith, thereby to serve as spacers for fixing the minimum distance that each clip-bar shall approach thereto. This distance should, of course, agree withthat which is fixed by the width of the curved heads 21 of the several'hangers to which the clip-bars C are attached in the manner just described. Additional fingers 39 are also bent through 90, some one way and othersoppositely, to extend parallel with the proximate face of the inner wall I. When so disposed they will form a back rest for the floating wall in the manner now to be explained.

The inner clip-bars C furnish support for the lath 16 of wire mesh, expanded metal, or the like, having, by preference, a paper back. Such a lath which is wellknown at the present time is secured to each of the clipbars C which are interengagedwith-the hangers B aligned in a single row by bending certain of the fingers 39 into engagement with the inner shoulders thereof. Other fingers 39 are also pushed or forced through the meshes or openings of the lath. The hangers B also traverses such a lath to provide vertical support therefor, and mayreadily be forced therethrough during installation of the wall. When so installed, the coat 1-7 is applied, then the reinforcing mesh 18, and finally the second concrete (or plaster) coat 19. Before this latter step, the wedge-keys 31 are inserted Within the slots 30 of the hangers to lock the reinforcing mesh 18, together with the first concrete coat 17, securely in place and hold it tightly against the lath 16 whereon the multiply wall is carried.

After completion of the inner floating wall I, the outer clip-bars D are applied in place. The parts of these clipbars which correspond to those already specified for the inner clip-bars are designated by reference numerals having the same value plus ten. These outer clip-bars are secured in place by bending their fingers 49 around into engaging position with a meshed or apertured lath 52 (similar to the lath 16) and also with the outer shoulders 24 of the hangers B as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. Thereafter construction of the outer floating wall 0 is proceeded with, the lath 52 receiving and supporting the coat 27 of concrete, plaster or the like, which is first applied, followed by application of the reinforcing mesh 28, and finally by application of the outer concrete coat 29 of concrete, plaster or the like. The wedges 33 are installed prior to application of this last coat, so that the inner coat 27 will be held closely in position against its supporting lath 52.

In Figures 8-10 I have illustrated certain modifications in the construction of the hangers which are designed for overhead support of the duplex floating wall, as when positioned across the roof of a tunnel. The hanger E of Fig. 8 is in the general form of a strap, desirably of rust-resistant metal, having at one head a curved head 55 ending in a shoulder 56 at its juncture with a downwardly depending straight section 57. In this construction the supported load exerts an endwise pull on the straight section of the hanger. A slot which is provided in this straight section accommodates a wedge-key 58 that is adapted to bear against a reinforcing mesh 59 on the underface of the inner (upper) coat 60 of concrete, plaster or the like which is carried by the several hangers, the upper face of the coat being keyed to a lath 61 which is secured in place with the aid of horizontal clip-bars 62 whose fingers 63 are bent to interlock with the aligned hangers E and with the lath 61. An outer (lower) coat 64 of concrete, plaster or the like is also applied to the coat 61 to unite therewith. This construction differs from that hereinbefore described in that the straight section 57 of the hanger E is vertically disposed to traverse the supported horizontal duplex wall therebyimposing an endwise pull on the hanger instead of a lateral force as in the construction of Figures 5-6.

In Fig. 9 a similar construction of hanger F for support of a horizontal wall is also disclosed. Here the curved head 65 of the hanger is reversely bent at 66 adjacent a shoulder 67 which abuts a depending straight section 68 which traverses the supported duplex wall which may be the same in construction as last described in connection with Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows an identical hanger G except that the free end 70 of its head 71 is traversed by a pivot bolt 72 which is carried in an eye 73 at the end of an anchor 74 having a top head 75 that is embedded within the base roof 14. For certain purposes such a hanger which has limited pivotal movement may be advantageous in that it will permit the supported wall to shift bodily thereby avoiding stresses which otherwise might prove damaging to its construction.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a hanger H having its head curved through 180, the same as is already disclosed elsewhere. At a point adjacent its inner shoulder 81, a straight section 82 is extended laterally, then downwardly at 83 to provide an outer shoulder, and then outwardly again through a downset section 85 whose extremity is tapered toward a point. The straight section 82 is adapted to impale an inner wall (not shown) which is carried thereby while its downset section 85 traverse an outer wall (also not shown). A slot 86 formed in the hanger section 82 is adapted to receive a wedge-key (not shown) to engage with the reinforcing mesh of the inner wall whereby to fix its position with relation to the hanger. A second slot 87 in the downset section 83 is also provided for a second wedge-key which engages with the reinforcing mesh of the outer wall (not shown) in the manner already described in this specification.

The feature of improvement associated with this hanger H is the provision of a pair of spaced thin plates 90 and 91 each of which is slotted to receive therethrough the straight section of the hanger, each plate being fitted thereover with the inner plate 90 resting against the outer face of the shoulder 81. When so assembled, the various fingers 92 which extend from the margins of the plate 90 may be bent to different positions, some rearwardly, some forwardly, and others through to embrace and interlock with a supporting lath whereon the associated wall is built. In this construction the reversely bent fingers 92 which embrace the shoulder 81 secure the plate 90 in a fixed position upon the hanger so that, for all practical purposes, the plate is as firmly secured thereto as are the clipbars shown in Figs. 5-7. The outer plate 91 is similarly provided with bendable fingers 93 to interengage with the outer shoulder 83 and the supporting lath for the outer wall in the manner already described in detail.

The spacing of the anchors which are affixed to the base is sufficiently close to provide adequate support for the duplex walls carried thereby. The wall-supporting lath may be extended continuously from one base wall across the roof 14 and down upon the opposite wall, thereby to provide support at numerous points throughout its area for what amounts to a continuously extending network whose tensile strength is very substantial. This is of advantage in case of a break in the roof resulting in dislodgement of rock, concrete, chunks of earth, etc., which otherwise would be free to fall' to the floor of the base structure.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the protective potentiality of such a continuously extending network for support of dislodged pieces, thereby safe-guarding against injury all persons who are then within the tunnel structure. While the lath is very effective for the purposes of this invention, its tensile strength is supplemented by that of the reinforcing mesh which is associated therewith, and in the case of duplex walls, as herein disclosed, the lath and mesh of each wall contributes to the protective feature just noted.

The present duplex floating wall has a wide application for its use. It will be advantageous in the construction of bomb shelters, and will also prove its merit with tunnels, both open-cut and bored. It (one or both Walls) may be carried upon either the interior or exterior faces of the base structure. One of the great problems with tunnels through which trains are commonly operated is the condensate which drips from the roof and walls. As a result, the entire interior of any such tunnel is rendered wet and slippery. Another problem is the terrific noise occasioned by the passing of trains through the tunnel. The present duplex floating wall will reduce to a large extent the dripping of condensate and also the noise which arises from movement of trains. The walls and roofs of the usual tunnel have little or no capacity to absorb vibrations. The further its location is below the surface, the denser is the nature of the rock or other material surrounding the tunnel. There is always a constant tendency for cracks to develop and fissures to open up, and no amount of sealing applied to the tunnel Walls will overcome this tendency. The continued condensation of moisture also drips down upon each train platform, making it slippery and unsafe for persons who are compelled to Walk thereon.

According to the present duplex floating wall construction, an air space is provided between the two walls Wherein the condensate drips as it forms. The condensate drips down into gutters in the base wherein it runs ofi without being exposed inwardly of the inner wall. Such a floating wall is also a great deadener of sound and its effectiveness may be enhanced by use of a facing of acoustic material.

A duplex floating wall of the kind herein described has numerous advantages. The inner wall I may, if desired, extend down to the floor where it is sealed to provide rearwardly thereof an air space which has a highly effective insulation value. The margins of the outer wall 0 in such a case may be spaced otf the base wall for a slight distance, as shown, so as not to impair the capacity of the outer wall for floating in any direction.

One of the principal causes of cracks and fissures in the base wall of a tunnel or other structure is the wide range of thermal fluctuations to which it is subject. As hereinbefore noted, it is impossible to provide on the face of such a base, or even upon an inner wall which is rigidly afiixed thereto, a finish which will remain free of such cracks, and fissures for any extended length of time. However, by providing an insulated air space between the inner wall and the base of the structure, as suggested in Fig. 3, the thermal fluctuations which promote breaks in the finish of the base are not transmitted to the outer Wall 0 which also is fioatingly supported so as to be unafifected by vibrations which are transmitted to the base and possibly also the inner wall as well. As a result, cold air will be largely prevented from contacting the inner face of the base wall and promoting the formation of condensate thereon. The finish of plaster or other material upon the outer wall 0 which remains exposed to view will also continue unimpaired and without breaks for an indefinite period of time.

I claim:

1. In combination with a base, a plurality of hangers aligned in a row all anchored to the base and extending outwardly therefrom, each hanger comprising a relatively flat strap-like member having a straight mid-portion and inner and outer end portions extending substantially normal to said mid-portion for at least a part of their length and forming inner and outer shoulders spaced from each other and positioned at different distances from the base, an inner wall traversed by the mid-portion of the hangers and positioned with its inner face adjacent the inner shoulder, an outer wall traversed by the outer end portion of the hangers and positioned with its inner face adjacent the outer shoulder, an inner clip-bar extending along a row of aligned hangers and provided with bendable fingers extending laterally from one edge thereof, certain of the fingers being extended toward the base and of a length to engage therewith and thereby position the clip-bar a minimum distance therefrom, certain of the fingers being extended around the inner shoulders of the hangers for interlocking the clip-bar therewith, and certain of the fingers being extended through a component of the inner wall for interlocking therewith whereby the inner wall is fixedly secured to and carried by the several aligned hangers to be supported thereby, an outer clip-bar extending along the same row of hangers and provided with bendable fingers extending laterally from one edge thereof, certain of the fingers of the outer clip-bar being extended toward the outer face of the inner wall and of a length sufiicient for engagement therewith to thereby position the outer clip-bar a minimum distance away therefrom, certain of the fingers being extended around the outer shoulders of the hangers for interlocking the outer clipbar therewith, and certain of the fingers being extended through a component of the outer wall for interlocking therewith whereby the outer wall is fixedly secured to and carried by the several aligned hangers to be supported thereby, each hanger having means defining slots in said straight mid-portion and said outer end portion, and wedge keys in said slots for securing said inner and outer Walls, respectively, to said hangers.

2. In combination with a base, a plurality of hangers aligned in a row and all anchored to the base and extending outwardly therefrom, each hanger comprising a relatively flat strap-like member having a straight mid-portion and inner and outer end portions extending substantially normal to said mid-portion for at least a part of their length and forming inner and outer shoulders spaced from each other and positioned at different distances from the base, an inner wall traversed by the mid-portion of each hanger and positioned with its inner face adjacent the inner shoulder, an outer wall traversed by the outer end portion of each hanger and positioned with its inner face adjacent the outer shoulder and spaced from the inner wall, means interconnecting a row of aligned hangers and interlocked therewith to provide mutual reinforcement therefor, said means being interlocked also with the inner wall traversed by the hangers to secure the inner wall fixedly in position thereupon, and other means interconnecting the same row of aligned hangers and interlocked therewith to provide additional mutual reinforcement therefor and formed also with means interlocking with the outer wall traversed by the hangers to secure the outer wall in a fixed position thereupon.

3. In combination with a base, a plurality of hangers aligned in a row and all anchored to the base and extending outwardly therefrom, each hanger having the cross sectional form of a strap formed at one end portion into a head attachable to the base with an adjacent shoulder and formed toward its outer end with an ofiset portion having an associated shoulder, the outer end portion of each hanger being tapered toward a point at its free end, inner and outer walls traversed by each hanger, the inner well being positioned adjacent the inner shoulder and the outer wall being positioned adjacent the outer shoulder in spaced relation to the inner wall, and means interconnecting the several aligned hangers and interlocked with each to provide mutual reinforcement therefor, said means having fingers interlocked with a component of each wall to secure the same in a fixed position relative to each other and to the base.

4. In combination with a base structure having a vaulted roof, a plurality of hangers aligned in rows extending vertically on opposite sides of the base structure and continuously transversely across its roof in general conformity with the contour thereof, the hangers being anchored to the base structure and extending outwardly therefrom and having spaced inner and outer shoulders,

I. inner and outerwalls. traversed by the hangers and carried' thereby in fixed positionslspaced from eachother and from the base structure, saiddnner and outer walls engaging said inner and outer shoulders, respectively, each wall comprising a. metal lath. extending continuously from one side of the structure across its roof to the opposite side thereof and interlocked :with each of the-anchored hangers. to. be supported thereby ataplurality of places spaced substantially. equally distant apart, the. tensile strength of: the lath beingsuch that; when.- deprived of support in the vaulted roof: portion of the structure, it will, although sagging, sustain a substantial load upon its top face.

5; In. combination with abase, a plurality of hangers aligned in arow and-all. anchored to thebase and extend ing outwardly therefrom, an inner wall traversed by the 8 terconnecting. the aligned hangers in the same vertical row and secured to the outer wall and provided with elements for spacing. said outer wall from the inner wall, the inner wall being substantially co-extensive with the base and in; sealing connection therewith at its margins and the outer wall being spaced along at least one of its margins from the-adjacent inner wall, said spacing of the outer wall. enabling floating thereof relative to the base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 231,292 Engert Aug. 17, 1880 459,014 Miles- Sept. 8, 1891 1,596,107 Kovanda et al Aug, 17, 1926 1,732,752- Hull Oct. 22, 1929 1,832,231 Menninger Nov. 17, 1931 2,313,325 Dalton Mar. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 641,489 Germany Jan. 21, 1937 

